Writing instrument



March 28, 1967 R. VOGEL WRITING INSTRUMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 14, 1964 INVENTOR.

R UD ULF VU BE. L BY ATTL'IR'NEY.

March 28, 1967 R. VOGEL WRITING INSTRUMENT INVENTOR. RUDEILF VUEEL BY 4 4,; W

A T TURNEK United States Patent 3,311,089 WRITING INSTRUMENT Rudolf Vogel, 1140 Laurel Ave., Bridgeport, Conn. 06604 Filed Sept. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 396,329 17 Claims. (Cl. DUO-42.03)

The present invention relates to a writing instrument, particularly of the ball point pen type.

The conventional ball point pen comprises a rigid casing into which a tubular ink-containing cartridge is inserted, and usually includes mechanism to cause the writing point of the cartridge to be projected when in use and retracted when not in use. When the ink is exhausted the cartridge is replaced by a so-called refill cartridge.

It is an object of the invention to rovide a writing instrument comprising a conventional refill cartridge and a sheath-like casing, formed for example of pliable plastic sheet material, and including a first part adapted to firmly grip the cartridge and a second part adapted for retraction and projection movement with respect to said first part, which second part in its projected position encloses and protects the writing point of the cartridge and in its retracted position exposes the writing point. A further object is to provide a casing in which the relatively movable second part is adapted to be maintained in its retracted position through pressure of the fingers applied against the refill cartridge while the pen is being held in writing position.

A further object is to provide a cartridge-receiving casing which may be formed of thermoplastic sheet material, for example polyvinyl sheet, capable of heat-sealing to itself, and whereby the casing may be formed of two superimposed layers of the sheet material heat-sealed together, with the heat-sealed are-as arranged to impart the desired functional characteristics to the casing.

Another object is to provide a cartridge-receiving casing of substantially flattened form to enable the writing instrument to be more comfortably and eificiently gripped during use. A further object is to provide a cartridgereceiving casing of substantially flattened form which lends itself to the inclusion at its upper end of an enlarged substantially flattened head portion capable of having various outline shapes and of being imprinted or embossed with monograms, pictorial representations, advertising matter, or the like. The arrangement permits the shank portion for example to be inserted in a lapel button hole with the enlarged head portion exposed and retaining it.

Another object is to provide a writing instrument in which the casing includes clip means in the form of an enlarged head portion which may be imprinted or embossed with monograms, pictorial representations, advertising matter, or the like.

A further object is to provide a writing instrument in which the casing is adapted to receive a plurality of refill cartridges, each for example containing a different colored ink.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a writing instrument according to the invention with the casing in its projected position enclosing the point of the cartridge;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation;

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FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a front elevation showing the casing in its retracted position;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the writing instrument as seen in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 .is a front elevation showing the manner in which the cartridge is adapted to be inserted in the casing;

FIG. 10 is a front elevation of a modified form of the invention with the casing shown in its projected position;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation of the modification as seen in FIG. 10 with the casing shown in its retracted position;

FIG. 12 is a front elevation of another modified form of the invention with the casing shown in its projected position;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the modification as seen in FIG. 12 with the casing shown in its retracted osition;

FIG. 14 is a rear elevation of a further modification of the invention including a clip portion shown in its pre-bent form;

FIG. 15 is a front elevation;

FIG. 16 is a side elevation;

FIG. 17 is a front elevation showing the clip in its bent form;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation of the modification as seen in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a front elevation of a further modification having a plurality of refill cartridges;

FIG. 20 is a side elevation thereof;

FIG. 21 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 2121 of FIG. 20; and

FIG. 22 is a side elevation showing the modification as seen in FIGS. 19 and 20 in its folded position.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1-9, the writing instrument according to the exemplary embodiment of the invention illustrated therein comprises generally a sheath-like casing 10 in which a conventional ball point pen refill cartridge 11 is received with the writing tip 12 of the cartridge normally enclosed by the casing inwardly of its open end 13, and which is adapted through relative retraction movement of the casing to project through the lower open end in exposed Writing position.

The casing comprises a pair of correspondingly shaped layers 14 and 15 preferably of pliable thermoplastic sheet material, for example polyvinyl sheet, heat-sealed together along selected areas to provide a sheat-like enclosure for the cartridge 11 and to impart to the casing certain cooperative functional characteristics, as will presently more fully appear. While heat-sealing is preferred it will be understood that the layers may be cemented or otherwise secured together. The outline shape of the casing is designed to provide an elongated shank having an enlarged head portion 16 at its upper end which, in the illustrated embodiment, is shown as circular but may be of any desired suitable shape, for example the outline shape of an animal head. A monogram 17, as shown, or other pictorial representations, advertising matter or the like may be printed or embossed thereon.

The side edges of the shank are parallel for the major .part of their length and converge at their lower end portions 1818 to the lower end opening 13 in the casing, so that the latter is relatively restricted to permit passage of the cartridge with a snug sliding fit. The marginal edge portions of the shank are heat-sealed, as 1919, from the lower end of the casing to an inter mediate point of the shank, so that the enclosed space within the casing defined by the heat-seals 119 receives the cartridge with a relatively loose fit. In upwardly spaced relation to the upper ends of the heat-seals 1-19 the layers 14 and are heat-sealed along areas 2ti20 which are transversely spaced to provide a central restricted passage 21 adapted through the pliable nature of the sheet material of the casing to receive the cartridge with a tight fit, so that when the cartridge is forced through the passage 21 it will be relatively fixed with respect to the upper portion of the shank. In order to facilitate the insertion of the cartridge the lower inner edge portions of the heat-sealed areas -20 are upwardly convergent, as at 22. The marginal edge of the head portion 16 is heat-sealed, as at 23, and this heat-sealing preferably 7 merges with the heat-sealed areas 2920.

The spacing of the heat-sealed areas 26 from the heat seals 19 provides an intermediate flexible bellows-like portion 24 which, as seen in FIG. 2, normally gapes open slightly at its edges and thus predisposes the two sides of the portion 24 to fold outwardly upon relative retraction movement of the lower movable portion of the shank, as seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, such movement causing the writing tip 12 of the cartridge to be extended through the open end 13 of the casing into writing position. The retraction of the lower movable portion of the casing is-readily accomplished by gripping the upper portion of the shank and pushing upwardly upon the lower portion, and to faciliate this the side edges of the lower portion may be indented at opposite sides, as at -25, for engagement by the thumb and forefinger. The lower movable part of the shank is conveniently retained in its retracted position through gripping the writing instrument in writing position, the pliable nature of the casing permitting it to be pressed against the cartridge by the pressure of the fingers. It will also be self-retained as the lower portion of the cartridge adjacent the writing tip 12 is frictionally engaged within the restricted opening 13 of the casing.

While the restricted opening 13 of the casing permits passage of the cartridge therethrough' with a sliding snug fit, its restricted form makes it difficult to insert the cartridge upwardly therethrough, particularly as the pliable material of the casing tends to close the opening 13. As seen in FIG. 9 the arrangement of the side openings of the intermediate bellows portions 24 in association with the pliability of the casing facilitates the assembly of the cartridge. As seen in full lines the cartridge is inserted tip-end-first downwardly through the side opening at one side with the lower portion of the casing angled to one side, the cartridge being forced downwardly to the point Where its upper end moves into the bellows portion, as indicated by the broken lines 26. Thereupon the casing assumes its normal straight position, as indicated by the broken lines 27, and the cartridge may then be forced upwardly into gripped relation within the passage 21, being limited in its upward movement by abutment with the internal upper end of the head portion 16. In this limit position the cartridge provides a stiffening support for the normally pliable head portion.

In FIGS. 10 and 11 there is shown a modification in which the flexible connection between the fixed and movable parts of the shank is provided by heat-sealing the marginal portions of the shank as at 2S28 at each side of a central opening 29 to thus provide a pair of flexible band portions which upon retraction of the lower portion of the shank will fold upon themselves, as seen in FIG. 11.

In the modifications shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 the connection between the movable and fixed parts of the shank is provided by heat-sealing the marginal portions of the shank as at -39 at each side of an elongated central opening 31 disposed at a substantially lower point of the shank than the opening 29 of the modification shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Retraction of the lower end of the shank is accomplished by turning as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 12 to cause the marginal band portions to wind about the cartridge and thus bring the lower end portion into a retracted position exposing the writing tip 12 of the cartridge.

In the modification shown in FIGS. 14-18 the shank and its cooperative relation with the cartridge is illustrated by way of an example as being substantially similar to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-9, but it will be understood that either of the modifications shown in FIGS. l0-13 may be similarly employed. The shank is substantially longer than in the other modifications, so that the upper end of the cartridge is substantially spaced from the head 16a and abuts a transverse heat-sealed band 32 extending between the upper ends of the heat-sealed areas 2G-20, and above this band the shank is provided with transversely spaced heat-sealed areas 3333 defining the sides of a pocket 34, the band 32 defining the base of the pocket. In vertically opposed relation to the pocket 34 there is provided a pocket 35 defined at its sides by transversely spaced heat-sealed areas 3636 and defined at its base by the portion of the heat-sealed margin 23a of the head 16:: extending between said areas 36. The layer of material forming one side of the head is provided with a transverse slit 37 providing an entrance to the pocket 34 and with a transverse slit 38 providing an entrance to the pocket 35, and within these opposed pockets there are respectively engaged the end portions of a strip 39 of suitable springy bendable material, for example brass or steel, the lower end portion of which extends substantially below a bending point continguous to the head portion, indicated by the broken line 40 in FIG. 15. The head together with the strip 39 is bent downwardly along the bending line 40 to the position as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 to thus form a spring clip. The monogram 17 or other indica imprinted upon the head is disposed in an inverted position prior to bending, as seen in FIGS. 14 and 15, so that it assumes its proper righted position upon bending the head downwardly as seen in FIGS. 17 and 18.

In the modification shown in FIGS 1921 the casing is extended to receive a pair of cartridges in end-to-end relation, and which cartridges may for example each contain ink of a different color. The two halves of the casing are illustrated by way of example as being similar to the shank portion of the casing as seen in FIGS. 19, although it will be understood that either of the modifications of FIGS. 10 and 11 and FIGS. 12 and 13 may be employed in similar arrangement. The two halves are connected by a flexible centrally disposed heat-sealed hinge portion 41 which permits the halves to be folded upon themselves when the Writing instrument is not in use as seen in FIG. 22. In order to render the connection 41 rigid during use Of the instrument a channeled slide :member 42 having retaining flanges 43-43 is slideably engaged with the central portion of .thecasing and extends at each side of the central hinge portion 41. Preferably this slide member is provided with a spring clip 44. In the centralized position as seen in FIGS. 19 and 20 the slide member in cooperation with the pair of cartiridges renders the casing substantially stiff longitudinally to facilitate writing with either cartridge upon retraction of the respective movable shank portion of the casing. When not in use the slide member is moved along the casing to one side of the flexible hinge portion 41 whereupon the two halves of the cas ing may be folded upon each other and the instrument conveniently secured in the users pocket by means of the clip.

What is claimed is:

1. A writing instrument compnising a cartridge including an elongated tube and a writing tip at the forward end of said tube, and an elongated casing of pliable material defining a passage in which said cartridge is received, said casing including a first part in which said cartridge is received in relatively fixed relation, a second part open at its forward end, and an intermediate axially flexible part connecting said first and second parts whereby through contractual flexing of said intermediate part said second part is adapted to have axial movement relatively to said first part from a projected to a retracted position, said second part adapted to receive said cartridge with its writing tip disposed inwardly of said open end in concealed relation in said projected position and extended and exposed through said open end in said retracted position.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said first part defines a passage adapted to receive said cartridge with a tight fit.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said passage of said first part is inwardly and upwardly convergent at its forward end.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1, wherein said second part defines a passage adapted to receive said cartridge with a loose fit and is convergent at its forward end to a forward end opening adapted to receive said cartridge with a sliding fit.

5. The invention as defined in claim 1, further characterized in that said first, second and intermediate parts are integral.

6. The invention as defined in claim 1, further characterized by a head part of said casing extending from the upper end of said first part, and a springy clip member carried by said head part and extended into said first part, said head part and said clip member being bent downwardly from the upper end of said first part of said casing and constituting a retaining clip.

7. A writing instrument comprising a pair of cartridges, each including an elongated tube and a writing tip at the forward end of said tube, an elongated casing comprising end-to-end portions each defining a passage in which a respective cartridge is received, a foldable hinge part intermediate said end-to-end portions each said portion of said casing including a first part in which said cartridge is received in relatively fixed relation and a second part open at its outer end adapted to have retracting and projecting movement relatively to said first part between projected and retracted positions, said second part adapted to receive said respective cartridge with its writing tip enclosed thereby in said projected position, said second part adapted to receive said cartratced position, and a slide member adapted to engage over said hinge part to render it substantially stiff and adapted .to be slideably moved upon one of said endto-end portions away from said hinge part to permit it to be folded.

8. The invention as defined in claim 7, wherein said slide includes a pocket-engaging spring clip.

9. A writing instrument comprising a cartridge including an elongated tube and a writing tip at the forward end of said tube, and an elongated casing comprising a substantially identical pair of layers of pliable sheet material positioned in mating overlying relationship to each other and secured together along selected areas to define a passage in which said cartridge is received, said casing including a first part in which said cartridge is received in relatively fixed relation and a second part open at its forward end adapted to have movement relatively to said first part between projected and retracted positions, said second part adapted to receive said cartridge with its writing tip enclosed thereby in said projected position and extended through said open end in said retracted position.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9, wherein said layers are formed of thermoplastic sheet material, secured at said selected areas by heat-sealing.

11. The invention as defined in claim 9, further characterized by a pliable connection part intermediate said first and second p'arts contractable upon retraction of said second part and extendible to limit the projection of said second part.

12. The invention as defined in claim 11, wherein said connection part comprises unsecured superimposed portions of said layers presenting openings in the opposed side edges of said casing.

13. The invention as defined in claim 11, wherein said connection part comprises secured superimposed bands of said layers disposed at opposite sides of a centrally disposed opening.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13, wherein said bands are foldable upon themselves upon retraction movement of said second part.

15. The invention as defined in claim 13, wherein said bands are windable about said cartridge upon turning movement of said second part.

16. The invention as defined in claim 13, further characterized 'by an enlarged 'head part of said casing defining a passage adapted to receive the upper end portion of said cartridge.

17. The invention as defined in claim 13, further characterized by a head part of said casing extending from the upper end of said first part, and a springy clip member carried by said head part and extended into said first part, said head part and said clip member being bent downwardly from the upper end of said first part of said casing and constituting a retaining clip.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,603,186 7/ 1952 Fischer 42.03 2,808,032 10/1957 Ducharme 12042.03 2,899,931 8/ 1959 Bross 12042.03 2,941,511 6/ 1960 Ciegrmans 120-4203 3,079,895 3/ 1963 Gordon 120-4203 3,158,138 11/1964 Bross 12042.13 3,204,609 9/1965 Tessier 120-42.03

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner. 

1. A WRITING INSTRUMENT COMPRISING A CARTRIDGE INCLUDING AN ELONGATED TUBE AND A WRITING TIP AT THE FORWARD END OF SAID TUBE, AND AN ELONGATED CASING OF PLIABLE MATERIAL DEFINING A PASSAGE IN WHICH SAID CARTRIDGE IS RECEIVED, SAID CASING INCLUDING A FIRST PART IN WHICH SAID CARTRIDGE IS RECEIVED IN RELATIVELY FIXED RELATION, A SECOND PART OPEN AT ITS FORWARD END, AND AN INTERMEDIATE AXIALLY FLEXIBLE PART CONNECTING SAID FIRST AND SECOND PARTS WHEREBY THROUGH CONTRACTUAL FLEXING OF SAID INTERMEDIATE PART 